The Terror (1963/Film Detective Blu-ray)

Picture: C+ Sound: B- Extras: D Film: B

The legendary Boris Karloff and a very young Jack Nicholson highlight this macabre 1963 Roger Corman film The Terror (which was co-written by Jack Hill) that is sheer entertainment for fans of classic horror such as myself. Similar in a lot of ways to the Hammer Films productions of the same era, the film features some great low budget production design and period specific costumes and props that help craft a believable world set in the 1700s. Supporting actors include the seductive Sandra Knight (Blood Bath) and Dick Miller (The Terminator).

When a lost Napoleonic cavalry soldier Lt. Andre Duvalier (Nicholson), encounters a beautiful and seemingly lost woman named Helene on his journey, he soon discovers that she is leading him into various traps out in the wilderness. Luckily, he comes across a lonely Baron's (Karloff) nearby castle, where he tries to convince Duvalier that Helene is the ghost of his 20 year wife Ilsa, to whom he murdered due to infidelity. Skeptical, Duvalier seeks to unravel the truth behind the woman, to whom he can't help but be smitten with.

Restored here in high definition by The Film Detective Restored Classics, the film looks and sounds better than it ever has (and after is many lame DVD and VHS editions) on Blu-ray disc. Presented in 1080p high definition with a widescreen aspect ratio of 1.78:1 and an English DTS track that sounds fine for their age. However, there are several imperfections in the presentation of the film (which is more due to the age of the film I'm sure) such as many shots that involve transitions changing to darker contrast and some noise on the print. I would be bold as to say that I'm sure this is the best that the film can look until a better print turns up and it is an improvement from other editions.

No extras.

This is a great film and it could easily be updated to modern day or remade and be effective.

- James Lockhart

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